Current Affairs 09 January 2025

Content:

1. 6 killed, 20 hurt in Tirupati stampede
2. Forecast for 2023 Delhi floods was inaccurate as flow of Yamuna was marred by silt, muck
3. Is organising a protest enough for UAPA, HC asks Delhi Police
4. Border fencing on in West Bengal despite BGB objections: BSF
5. China’s long game in Africa
6. The Centre’s share in States’ revenue has surged in the last decade
7. Why is deciphering the Indus script important?

6 killed, 20 hurt in Tirupati stampede

Incident Details

• Location: Vishnu Nivasam ticket counter, Tirupati
• Casualties: 6 people killed, over 20 critically injured
• Cause: Stampede during rush to collect tickets for the Vaikunta Ekadasi festival at Tirumala temple on January 12 (Friday)

Relevance : GS 3(Disaster Management )

 Context

• The Vaikunta Ekadasi festival is a significant religious event, drawing thousands of devotees for darshan at the Tirumala temple.
• The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) had arranged around 90 ticket counters across Tirupati to manage the crowd.
• Tickets were to be issued from 5 a.m. on Thursday, leading to an overwhelming gathering of devotees the night before.

 Chaos and Mismanagement

• Key crowded areas: Vishnu Nivasam, Bairagipatteda, and Ramachandra Pushkarini.
• The crowd management arrangements were inadequate, leading to chaos at the counters.
• Police struggled to control the situation, indicating poor crowd control measures.

 Immediate Response

• The injured were taken to Sri Venkateswara Ramnarain Ruia Hospital for treatment.
• Authorities have yet to identify the victims of the incident.

 Government Reaction

• Andhra Pradesh CM N. Chandrababu Naidu expressed shock and called for:
  • Best medical care for the injured
  • Strict action against TTD employees found guilty of mismanagement

 Concerns Raised

• Lack of crowd control measures despite prior knowledge of the festival’s popularity.
• Inadequate infrastructure and planning by TTD to manage large crowds.
• Potential accountability of TTD employees for negligence in handling the situation.

 Way Forward

• Strengthen crowd management protocols during major festivals.
• Introduce online ticketing systems to reduce physical crowding.
• Conduct inquiry to fix accountability and improve future arrangements.

Forecast for 2023 Delhi floods was inaccurate as flow of Yamuna was marred by silt, muck: Centre to NGT

Incident Details

• Event: 2023 Delhi floods, the worst in the city’s history
• Issue: Inaccuracy in flood forecasting by the Central Water Commission (CWC)
• Cause: Flow of Yamuna river was obstructed by silt, muck, and other factors

Relevance : GS 3(Environment )

 Forecasting Issues

• CWC Report: Submitted to the National Green Tribunal (NGT) on January 4, 2024
• Findings: The forecast was not as accurate as expected due to obstacles along the river, primarily between Wazirabad and Okhla stretches.
• Forecasting Conditions: The CWC emphasized that accurate forecasts require “free flow conditions” in the river channels.

 Impairment of River Flow

• Key Factors Impacting Flow:
  • Non-opening of all gates of the ITO barrage
  • Formation of islands of silt deposits
  • Tree growth in the river
  • Muck disposal from ongoing construction activities along the river

• These obstacles significantly reduced the river’s ability to carry floodwaters, contributing to the inaccuracy of the forecasts.

 Flood Impact

• Yamuna Level: The CWC had initially forecasted the water level to remain steady, but it continued to rise, eventually reaching an all-time high of 208.66 meters on July 13, 2023.
• The floods severely affected central Delhi, particularly in areas like ITO.

 Government’s Response

• The CWC’s findings were presented in response to a suo motu case initiated by the NGT.
• The NGT had raised concerns about the inaccuracy of the flood forecast, based on an article in The Hindu highlighting the issue.

 Concerns and Implications

• Lack of timely action on managing river flow and addressing obstacles led to misjudgments in forecasting.
• Inadequate infrastructure and planning around the river channels worsened the situation.
• The flood’s devastating impact underlines the need for better forecasting systems, effective river management, and improved construction regulations along critical waterways.

 Way Forward

• Strengthen flood forecasting systems with more accurate river data and real-time monitoring.
• Ensure proper maintenance and regulation of critical infrastructure like barrages and river channels to avoid blockages.
• Implement measures to reduce muck and debris disposal near sensitive river areas.

Is organising a protest enough for UAPA, HC asks Delhi Police

Context:

• Case: Bail pleas of Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam in the February 2020 North-East Delhi riots case
• Court: Delhi High Court
• Query: The court questioned if organizing a protest alone could justify invoking the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), an anti-terror law, in the case.

Relevance : GS 2(Governance )

 Legal Context

• UAPA Invocation: UAPA provisions are typically applied in cases involving terrorism or activities threatening national security.
• 2020 Riots: The Delhi Police charged Khalid, Imam, and others with being part of a larger conspiracy behind the communal violence in February 2020, which resulted in 53 deaths and over 700 injuries.

 Court’s Observation

• Focus on Intent: The Delhi High Court emphasized that intent is a crucial factor under UAPA. The court pointed out that simply organizing protests isn’t enough unless there is evidence showing an intention to instigate violence.
• Facades of Peaceful Protests: The Special Public Prosecutor argued that the peaceful protests were a “facade” for an actual violent plan. The court asked the prosecution to provide specifics of how the accused were instigating violence rather than organizing a peaceful protest.

 Evidence and Allegations

• WhatsApp Group (JACT): Evidence was presented linking the accused to a WhatsApp group involved in organizing protests.
• Prosecutor’s Claim: Mr. Prasad argued that the accused were part of a larger conspiracy, using the protest as a cover for violence.
• Court’s Direction: The court asked the prosecution to present specific evidence showing the transition from peaceful protest to organized violence.

 Implications and Legal Path Forward

• Clarity on UAPA: The court’s inquiry reflects the need for clarity on how UAPA provisions apply in cases where protests may be involved.
• Prosecution’s Challenge: The prosecution must prove that the accused intended to incite violence, not just engage in peaceful protest.
• Next Hearing: The court scheduled the next hearing for Thursday, as it seeks more specific evidence to determine if UAPA is applicable in this case.

 Way Forward

• Strengthening Evidence for Terrorism Charges: The prosecution needs to demonstrate concrete evidence linking the accused to terrorist activities or violent conspiracies, beyond organizing protests.
• Legal Precedent: This case could influence future applications of UAPA in cases where the line between peaceful protest and terrorism is contested.

Border fencing on in West Bengal despite BGB objections: BSF

Details

• Location: Kaliachak, Malda district, West Bengal
• Issue: Continued border fencing by BSF despite BGB objections
• Area Affected: Sukdebpur area under Kaliachak 3 block
• Involved Parties: BSF (Border Security Force), BGB (Border Guard Bangladesh)

Relevance : GS 3(Internal Security)

 Fencing and Border Control

• Fencing Efforts: The Central Public Works Division began erecting a fence in Sukdebpur area on Monday, a move opposed by the BGB.
• BSF’s Response: The BSF clarified that the fencing is being conducted well inside Indian territory, specifically in the South Bengal Frontier area.
• Reassurance: BSF officials assured that the situation was resolved and there was peace in the area.

 Dispute Over Territorial Control

• BGB Allegations: Some reports in Bangladeshi press claimed that the BGB had taken control of a 5-km stretch of Indian land along the border.
• BSF Rebuttal: The BSF dismissed these reports as “baseless and irresponsible”, confirming that the contested area lies on the Indian side, specifically in Ranaghat village (North 24 Parganas district).

 Political Context

• Impact of Bangladesh’s Political Situation: The controversy over border fencing has resurfaced amid political turmoil in Bangladesh, particularly following the fall of the Sheikh Hasina regime.
• Border Security: West Bengal shares a 2,216-km border with Bangladesh, and portions of this border remain unfenced, creating vulnerabilities such as smuggling and illegal activities.

 Local Reactions

• BJP MLA’s Visit: On Wednesday, Swapan Majumdar, BJP MLA from Bongaon South, visited the Angrail area and engaged with BSF officials and villagers to discuss the ongoing border fencing issue.

 Way Forward

• Strengthen Border Management: To curb the issues of smuggling and illegal migration, efforts should be focused on completing the fencing and improving surveillance along the India-Bangladesh border.
• Diplomatic Engagement: Continued diplomatic dialogue is necessary to resolve cross-border tensions and ensure that both Indian and Bangladeshi forces coordinate effectively.
• Addressing Misunderstandings: Both parties need to work towards clarifying territorial disputes and preventing misinformation, especially in sensitive border areas.

China’s long game in Africa

Context

• China’s Strategy: China is deepening its influence in Africa through political engagement, primarily by establishing political schools and expanding its diplomatic ties.
• Recent Development: In 2022, China launched the Mwalimu Julius Nyerere Leadership School in Tanzania, a $40 million investment aimed at training future African political leaders based on Chinese governance principles.
• Target Audience: The first cohort consisted of 120 officials from countries with historical ties to China, including South Africa, Mozambique, Angola, Namibia, Zimbabwe, and Tanzania.

Relevance : GS 2 (International Relations)

 Long-Term Diplomatic Goals

• Promoting Governance Model: The school’s creation fits into China’s broader goal of promoting a centralized, party-controlled governance system, mirroring China’s own political structure.
• Building Political Relationships: The Nyerere Leadership School serves as a platform to strengthen China’s ties with ruling liberation parties in Africa, supporting their governance capabilities and solidifying China’s influence over African politics.
• Historical Context: China has long supported African independence movements, military efforts, and governance structures, enhancing its relationship through infrastructure investments and economic projects.

 China’s Broader Influence in Africa

• Educational and Cultural Exchanges: Study tours and educational exchanges are a key part of China’s diplomacy, helping African officials understand Chinese governance practices.
• Institutional Support: Beyond educational initiatives, China has also invested in refurbishing key political institutions in Africa, such as the Herbert Chitepo School of Ideology in Zimbabwe.
• Political Party Ties: China has ties to over 100 political parties across 51 African countries, ensuring it remains embedded in the political systems of African nations.

 Geopolitical and Economic Impact

• Shifting Global Order: China’s growing influence in Africa is part of its broader strategy to challenge and sometimes complement the Western-led global order. Africa’s 55 countries hold significant sway in multilateral forums, making the continent crucial to China’s global ambitions.
• Key Partnerships: China has forged strong ties with countries like Kenya, which expressed interest in a leadership school modelled on China’s Central Party School. The investment in infrastructure further strengthens these relationships, as seen in China’s funding for Kenya’s foreign ministry headquarters.

 China’s Long-Term Goals and Contingency Planning

• Safeguarding Influence: China is not only focusing on ruling parties but also nurturing relationships with opposition parties to maintain its influence, even in case of political regime changes.
• Subtle Diplomacy: The long-term approach involves a strategic blend of diplomacy and influence-building rather than relying solely on economic or military strength, ensuring that China remains a key player in shaping Africa’s political future.

 Conclusion
China’s political education programs and strategic investments reflect a calculated, long-term game aimed at embedding itself deeply within Africa’s political and governance structures. This approach ensures that China remains an influential force, capable of shaping African politics and global governance structures for years to come.

The Centre’s share in States’ revenue has surged in the last decade

Findings:

• Over the past decade (FY16 to FY25), the share of Central transfers and grants in the revenue of Indian states has significantly increased, reaching 23-30% of their total revenue, up from 20-24% in the previous years.
• Meanwhile, own tax revenue and non-tax revenue have both seen a decline in states’ total revenue.

Relevance : GS 3(Economic Development) .

 Decline in States’ Own Revenue:

• Own Tax Revenue: For over a decade, states’ own tax revenue as a share of total revenue has remained below 50%, which marks a stark contrast to the years prior to 2010 when it often exceeded 50%. Stamp duty, registration fees, motor vehicle tax, and SGST (State Goods and Services Tax) are primary components of own tax revenue.
  • The share of SGST has grown significantly from 15% in FY18 to 22% of the total revenue, showing the increasing dependence on SGST to maintain tax revenue levels.
  • However, without SGST, states’ tax revenue from other sources has declined from 34% to 28%.

• Non-Tax Revenue: The contribution of non-tax revenue to states’ total revenue is also on the decline and is expected to fall below 24% in FY25.
  • The share of grants from the Centre constitutes 65-70% of non-tax revenue in the last decade, up from 55-65% earlier.

 Dependency on Centre:

• States have been more reliant on the Centre for grants rather than increasing their own tax collection efficiency. The Centre’s share in non-tax revenue is particularly important for states’ fiscal balance.
• Interest receipts and dividends from public sector enterprises have remained minimal in the last decade, with interest receipts forming less than 5% of non-tax revenue and dividends/profits under 1%.

 Inefficiency in Tax Collection:

• States have failed to improve the efficiency of tax collection, with stamp duty, registration fees, and motor vehicle taxes being identified as areas requiring better technical efficiency. Despite efforts to enhance collection from these sources, the impact has been sporadic and insufficient.
• Tax-to-GSDP ratio is declining in key states, with Tamil Nadu‘s ratio falling from 7.72% in FY13-15 to 6.17% in FY22-24, indicating a broader trend of weakening state-level tax collection.

 Implications:

• Expenditure Pressures: While states face rising expenditure responsibilities, their inability to efficiently mobilize own revenue hampers their ability to adopt counter-cyclical fiscal measures, which could potentially boost aggregate demand and economic stability.
• Redistribution Impact: Falling own tax revenue collection limits the redistributive potential of state fiscal policies, making them more dependent on the Centre for maintaining fiscal balance.

Conclusion:
The increasing reliance on Central transfers and declining own revenue sources point to a structural issue in state finance management. States need to enhance their tax collection capabilities to reduce dependency on the Centre and improve fiscal autonomy. Effective tax reform, especially in property taxes, motor vehicle taxes, and stamp duties, could be a way forward to stabilize state revenue systems.

Why is deciphering the Indus script important?

• Indus Valley Civilisation (IVC): Spanned 2,000 sites across 1.5 million sq. km., including parts of India, Pakistan, and Afghanistan. It is one of the earliest urban civilisations, comparable in scale to Egypt and Mesopotamia.

Relevance : GS 1(Culture , Heritage )

• Undeciphered Script: Unlike other contemporary civilisations (e.g., Mesopotamian and Egyptian), the script of the IVC remains undeciphered, hindering a complete understanding of Harappan culture and history.
• Cultural Insights: Decoding the script could reveal key aspects of IVC’s social, political, and economic systems, providing clarity on their language, rituals, and governance.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister’s Announcement:

• $1-Million Prize: On January 5, Tamil Nadu CM M.K. Stalin announced a $1 million prize for deciphering the Indus script, coinciding with a conference on the centenary of IVC’s discovery.
• Political Context: The announcement is linked to the potential Dravidian connection with the IVC, reflecting ongoing debates over the cultural and linguistic ties between the IVC and South India.

Dravidian Hypothesis:

• Proto-Dravidian References: Scholars suggest that the Indus script may encode a proto-Dravidian language, based on evidence such as the survival of Brahui (a Dravidian language) in the IVC region and linguistic features of Dravidian languages.
• Key Scholars: Prominent figures like Iravatham Mahadevan have argued that the IVC script likely represents an early form of Dravidian, based on suffix usage and linguistic parallels.
• Challenges in Decoding: Despite evidence, decipherment models are still in early stages, and a universally accepted solution has not yet emerged.

Recent Findings:

• Study on Graffiti Marks: A study commissioned by Tamil Nadu’s State Department of Archaeology (TNSDA) found that about 90% of the graffiti marks from archaeological sites in Tamil Nadu have parallels with the Indus script.
• Graffiti vs. Script: Graffiti refers to informal marks, while script refers to formal inscriptions. Both are considered undeciphered signs, and their similarities suggest a potential evolutionary relationship.
• Research Basis: The findings stem from the TNSDA’s project documenting 15,184 graffiti-bearing potsherds from 140 sites in Tamil Nadu. Of these, 2,107 signs were categorized and compared with the Indus script.

Possible Cultural Contact Between IVC and South India:

• Contemporary Chronology: The IVC’s Copper Age coincides with South India’s Iron Age, suggesting potential cultural exchanges.
• Material Evidence: Objects such as carnelian and agate beads, along with high-tin bronze, found in Iron Age graves in South India, indicate trade or cultural contact, as these materials are likely to have come from the northern regions or elsewhere.
• Need for Further Evidence: While there are clues suggesting interaction, the evidence is not conclusive. More archaeological, linguistic, and scientific investigations are required to confirm these links.

Conclusion and Future Prospects:

• Cultural Exchange: The presence of similar signs and artifacts in Tamil Nadu and the IVC suggests possible cultural exchanges, but more material evidence is needed to establish the connection.
• Future Research: Further excavations, scientific studies, and linguistic analysis are crucial to solidifying the understanding of cultural interactions between the IVC and South India